Rafael dos Anjos Says He Can Become UFC Welterweight Champion

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Rafael Dos Anjos said that not only does he want to become welterweight champion in the UFC, but he has what it takes to get the job done. His first fight at 170 is against Tarec Saffiedine at UFC Fight Night 111 in Kallang, Singapore on June 17. Here are highlights:

On fighting Saffiedine first: “I think Tarec Saffiedine is a great opponent for my first fight at welterweight. That’s exactly what I wanted, a top-10 (ranked fighter). I’m a former lightweight champion and I believe I deserved to fight someone ranked, and Tarec is also a former world champion, a former Strikeforce champion. It’s going to be a great fight.”

On fighting at welterweight: “There’s no easy path (to win this fight), especially at the highest level, but I will use all my game. I think that something I haven’t used much in my fights is my wrestling, my jiu-jitsu, but I’m a complete fighter. But I will trade with him, and if he gives me opportunities there, I will use my game. I’ll walk forward the entire time, like I always do. I think I’ll be stronger in this division, won’t suffer with that violent weight cut. I think I will perform better in this weight class.”

On wanting to be champion: “I believe that a win would put me in the top 10. When you fight the champion and win, you become the champion. If you beat the No. 10 (ranked fighter), you become the No. 10. I think (the win) puts me in this mix, and that’s my goal. No rush, but my goal is the welterweight belt. I think I have what it takes to get there. But I’ll do at welterweight what I did at lightweight, no rush. I’ll slowly get there. I have the qualities to get there. But a win over Tarec Saffiedine will definitely put me in this mix.”

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